My First Hard Sleeper: Hong Kong-Beijing

by Gay Mitra - February 3, 2010August 13, 20147

It was time to say farewell to our gracious Hong Kong hosts Will and Melody, after staying in their pad for three days. They have been more than kind, and treated us (my husband Sherv and I) like family. On our departure day, early morning, the four of us took a cab to Burd St….

Backpacking HK and China: The Lowdown

by Gay Mitra - February 1, 2010August 13, 20148

Without further ado, I hereby unveil the total cost of our Hong Kong and China backpacking trip… drumroll please… P32,665 (per head) for twelve bitter cold Winter days! Honestly, not as cheap as we wanted it to be. But hey, we’re talking about the ever pricey Hong Kong, and China whose inexpensive days are long…

A Hike Up Victoria Peak

by Gay Mitra - January 22, 2010August 13, 201411

We didn’t make any plans for our third day in Hong Kong but to buy train tickets to Beijing, so we slept until 10:00 AM. I was awoken by my sister’s text message that said she’s home safe. Actually earlier that morning, around 5-ish, we got up briefly to hail a cab that will take…

Ocean Park, Hong Kong

by Gay Mitra - January 19, 2010August 13, 201414

We (my husband Shervin, my sister Gabe and I) did a mad dash through Hong Kong’s MTR stations, from the Tung Chung Line to the Island Line. It was already 2:30 PM and we were still at Central Station, waiting for the train to Admiralty. Earlier that day we went to Lantau Island to see…

Tian Tan Buddha

by Gay Mitra - January 17, 2010August 13, 20144

When in Hong Kong, do not squeeze Tian Tan Buddha and Ocean Park in one day. First, transportation will take too much time because they’re on different islands (and not entirely reachable by MTR). Second, half a day is just not enough for both. Tian Tan Buddha looming in the fog.I speak of this with…

Hong Kong and All Its Jazz

by Gay Mitra - January 14, 2010August 13, 20148

We awoke at 6:00 PM from a three-hour nap. Though we were able to recuperate from lack of sleep, we felt bad for sleeping in because we could have used the three hours on a walking tour. Will our host, assured us that no time was wasted for it rained the whole afternoon. We didn’t…

A Tea House With No Name

by Gay Mitra - January 12, 2010August 13, 20145

The primary reason for booking our Hong Kong flight is that it was our cheapest option to enter China. We were able to score tickets with a 30% discount (fare was brought down to P1,995 MNL-HK) from their August 2009 sale. From Hong Kong, we will be taking the 24-hour train to Beijing. We aren’t…

Transport Options from HK International Airport

by Gay Mitra - January 11, 2010August 13, 201413

Our Cebu Pacific flight bound for Hong Kong touched down at its expected time of 7:40 AM. Because of its popularity among Filipino vacationers, I thought getting past immigration would be swift. But heck no – or perhaps it was just that particular official, whom I want to proclaim “The Most Meticulous Immigration Officer of…

9 Countries for 2009: ‘Best Of’ Snippets

by Gay Mitra - January 3, 2010August 13, 20149

If you can’t play the video, it may have been removed because of its soundtrack. You can view it here instead.Part 1 of Pinay Travel Junkie’s Best Of 2009 video. ‘Best Of’ may not pertain to the best choices in town, but they’re the most unforgettable for me. Places I have been to and experiences…